Hungry Children

While yesterday was one of great joy and encouragement as I saw the benefits of our feeding programs in three schools, today was quite different.

I visited a school that is in need of a feeding program. When we arrived the headmaster was telling me about twin boys who represent 95% of his students that come to school hungry every day. When we went to meet these two orphaned boys, Jovan was actually sleeping because of a lack of food....

School Feeding Programs

The voices of happy children very alive in spirit were a pleasant sound to my ears as we drove onto the compound of the school to Bas Vaudrueil. Two years ago when I came, the children's eyes were dull and there was a lack of liveliness within them. They were hungry. In fact, as we drove off that day they clamored the truck telling me that they were hungry. Now, two years later, these same kids sang songs of thanks as they were served their meal that they can now count on through Childcare Worldwide's School Feeding Program.

One girl that I had met in 2007 was a girl by the name of Frecita. When I met her, her eyes said it all. Now, two years later..., her eyes sparkle and she is 'alive' per se. She has a never-ending smile on her face and she loves to help her teacher by passing out the food to her classmates.

Two months later - finally in Haiti

After the freak three-hour snowstorm stopped us from coming to Haiti in March, I have finally arrived in May! Only after nearly missing my connection in San Francisco due to the delay of my Seattle flight. Oh..., and San Francisco airport could use an investment of signage to help people know what terminal to go to..., and how to get there. Seriously, the old adage of looking up and letting the signs guide you is of no help in San Fran... Another man who also travels frequently was in the same boat as me... After going through security and high-tailing it to (wouldn't you know...) the END of the terminal, I made it in time to board my flight. Equally amazing is that my luggage made it to Port-au-Prince. Go figure..., it can make the tight connection in San Francisco - but couldn't get on my Vancouver bound flight from London even though they had 11 hours to get the luggage from one plane to another.

Okay, it's Haiti that you want to hear about likely not my airport woes.... It's hot, cloudy, humid and every once in awhile the clouds let loose and the downpour occurs with a bang of thunder. While powerful, these little episodes are quick. Today's schedule was to meet with Mendelson (Childcare's Haitian Director). Tomorrow, I will see our projects firsthand. I will post pictures and impressions within the next couple of days.

And then..., sometime soon - I will post about my trip to Uganda and Kenya in April... (sorry for the delay...)

Snow in March.... trip cancellation

I was scheduled to travel to Haiti on March 9, 2009. It appears that it was not meant to be. A four hour March snowstorm in Bellingham caused us to miss our connections in Seattle and Miami.... After being on the phone and internet for at least 1 1/2 hours it was determined that it was best to completely cancel this trip and try again later.

At this point, it looks like I will make the journey by myself sometime in May.

Heading to Haiti in March

Soon, I will be traveling to Haiti as part of my job with Childcare Worldwide. I will try to provide updates every couple days once I am there.